Funeral services held for Fontana police Officer Thomas Chamberlin

Police officers salute the U.S flag as it rests Fontana police Officer Thomas Chamberlin’s casket during his funeral service Friday at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Chino Hills.
john valenzuela — staff photographer

A memorial service for Fontana police officer Thomas Chamberlin takes place Friday at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Chino Hills. The 26-year-old died June 10 in an off-duty motorcycle crash.
John Valenzuela — staff photographer

Funeral services took place Friday morning in Chino Hills for Fontana police Officer Thomas Chamberlin, 26, who died June 10 in an off-duty motorcycle crash.

Pews at St. Paul the Apostle Church were filled with family, friends and fellow Fontana police officers. Burial took place at Riverside National Cemetery.

“Thomas was a man who personified the Catholic faith,” the Rev. Francis Gloudeman of St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado told the gathering.

Two Fontana police officers stood at attention beside Chamberlin’s casket in front of the chapel’s aisle throughout the service.

Looking out at the crowd, Gloudeman remarked on the high number of women in attendance, some of whom wore a black or white lace mantilla as a display of piety.

“Thomas, you got good taste in women,” he said with a smile, momentarily breaking the chapel’s somber mood.

Gloudeman went on to describe Chamberlin’s devotion to the Catholic Church and his willingness to help others find their faith. He said Chamberlin would oftentimes bring people to a Catholic service they may not have otherwise attended.

This spirit carried into his informal activist work, like waiting outside of abortion clinics with friends to provide assistance to those in need, Gloudeman said.

The West Covina native is survived by his parents Tom and Guadalupe Chamberlin.

He was not married and had no children.

Tom and Guadalupe Chamberlin stood on the church’s stage to provide a short eulogy for their son.

“He was the apple of our eye,” said Tom Chamberlin.

It was a bittersweet moment for Guadalupe Chamberlin, who expressed her love for every audience member and thanked them for attending.

As a procession of people, many wearing dark sunglasses, made their way outside of the chapel, Fontana police officers covered Thomas Chamberlin’s casket with an American flag.

A reception followed that afternoon at the Fontana Women’s Club.

Chamberlin, of Walnut, was riding south on Highway 39 north of Azusa when the crash occurred. Paramedics flew him to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center where he died.

For unknown reasons, Chamberlain lost control of his motorcycle and hit the side of a mountain, according to a California Highway Patrol news release.

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He graduated from Diamond Bar High School in 2006 and joined the Marine Corps that year. He served in Iraq from 2008 to 2009 and in Afghanistan in 2010.

Chamberlin was honorably discharged in 2011. He attended Cal State Fullerton and was hired by the Fontana Police Department in June 2013, later graduating from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Academy.

During his participation with the 191st class of the academy, Chamberlin received the “Physical Fitness” and “Top Shooter” awards.

Although it was his wish that donations in his memory be made to the Catholic Answers charity in San Diego in lieu of flowers, six floral stands stood near the chapel’s entrance with a few floral baskets nearby.

Monetary memorial contributions may also be made to the Fontana POA Survivor Benefit Fund.